What is Personal Area Network (PAN) in Computer Networking? Examples

What is Personal Area Network?

Definition – Personal Area Network (PAN) offers to make connections of multiple devices or other equipment under the single user’s environment within 10 meters to 30 feet. These types of connections can be done wired or wireless. PAN network enables with few computer devices, telephones, video game consoles, electronic devices, laptop, PDAs, printers, smart phone, and other wearable computer devices.

Personal Area Network Diagram

Initial PAN architecture was designed by Thomas Zimmerman of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab, but after that IBM’s Almaden Research Lab developed PAN (Personal Area Network) concept.

Types of Personal Area Network

There are two types of personal Area Network such as Wired PAN and Wireless PAN. In wired PAN (Personal Area Network), physical wires can be used like as USB or FireWire.

Wireless PAN (Personal Area Network) – In this network, wireless connections are established like as infrared, ZigBee, Bluetooth and ultrawideband, or UWB. This network can be spread in up to 10 meters. Wireless personal area network is also known as “WPAN”.

Advantages of Personal Area Network

There are some benefits of personal area network, such as

Less expensive

In PAN network, no need any type of cable for making connection between multiple devices. In this computer network, no required addition data charges to use internet, so it is cost effective compare to other network systems.

Data Protection

PAN network is getting higher secure to other network technologies, because in this network all devices are getting permission from authorized person before transmitting data between multiple devices, so it is impossible to get any third-party interruption.

Link to multiple devices concurrently

In personal area network (PAN), multiple devices can be linked to single device at a time. For example – Many mobiles and tables can connect to single mobile device.

No need additional space

In this PAN network, to connect many devices you require only Bluetooth system in multiple devices, and they can share file and data between them. Such as – wireless mouse can make connection with laptop or desktop via Bluetooth.

Easy to use

No need additional advance configuration, so it can be used easily.

Reliable and Stable

PAN network is more reliable and stable, if it is used within 10 meters area.

Other advantages are:

Data synchronization between multiple devices

It is used in different areas such as offices, meetings and conferences.

It is also used in devices like as Smart TV, AC remotes etc.

It is great portable because PAN network is used in wireless network.

Disadvantages of Personal Area Network

Personal Area Network has some limitations, like as –

Limited Area

This network can transmit data within 10 meters of range.

Data transmission is slow

Bluetooth is not able to share massive data with higher speed between the multiple devices, so this PAN network is slower network to another network technology such as LAN, MAN, WAN etc.

Health Issue

PAN network generates harmful ray or signal such as microwave signals, so these signals are getting bad impact on your mind and heart.

Interfere with radio signals

Data can be lost, due to interfere with radio signals.

Other Disadvantages are

Personal area network (PAN) is used for higher expensive devices such as smart phones, PDA, laptops, and digital cameras.

Transmission of infrared signals on the single line only

Characteristics of a Personal Area Network

There are various features of personal area network, such as –

It offers the single user environment to connect multiple devices.

It needs less power

Low cost

It allows the small region communication

In this network, mostly personal devices with in small region

PAN devices are wireless mice, keyboards, and Bluetooth systems

Examples of Personal Area Network

Personal Area Network is used in several areas, such as –

Body Area Network

Mobile network is move able network along with user. For instance, In this network users are eligible to make connection with another devices like as table through smart phone, and then users can share their data between those devices.

Offline Network

In this network, users can establish network in own home, so it is also called the “Home Network”. Home network is designed to integrated devices like as printer, TV, computer, and other home appliance s but they cannot be connected to internet.

Small Home Office

Main objective of this network is to make connection with different types of devices with the internet, and corporate networks along with VPN.